Nov. 25, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Brenda Frese and the Maryland women's basketball team are bringing in yet another highly-touted recruiting class, as the Terrapins announced commitments from three of the nation's top high school players today. High school seniors Tianna Hawkins, Dara Taylor and Essence Townsend are the newest Terps, having officially submitted their letters of intent to accept enrollment in College Park.

"As anyone who follows our program knows, we are in the process of replacing an incredible group of core players who helped make us a national brand name," Frese said of the newest class of Terps. "We feel like this class addresses many of those needs and brings an exciting group that will start to write their own chapters in our history."

Tianna Hawkins (F, 6-3, Clinton, MD)
High School Coach: Gina Miller, Riverdale Baptist
AAU Coach: Pete Garrison, Fairfax Stars South

Out of Riverdale Baptist High School in Prince George's County, Maryland, forward Tianna Hawkins attracted the attention of the Maryland staff when she first picked up the game as a freshman in high school. After being named MVP at National Christian Academy High School as a freshman. Since then, Hawkins has developed into a team leader at Riverdale Baptist, averaging 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game as a junior. Hawkins scored her 1,000th point last March, en route to a National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) championship for Riverdale. She earned NACA All-Tournament honors and after the season was recognized as her team's top offensive player.

Hawkins has excelled in AAU ball as well, leading the "Lady Majic" team to a fifth place finish in the national tournament in 2006. Part of her appeal to the Terps came after watching her compete and more than hold her own against other highly touted prospects.

"I've watched Tianna since she was in the ninth grade, which is about when she started playing basketball," Frese commented. "Her potential has us really excited. She's a player that only needs about two steps to grab the rim. She combines that with a wide wingspan that allows her to rebound, defend and score in a variety of ways. She can run the court and she has the competitive desire to play against the best."

Dara Taylor (G, 5-6, Wilmington, DE)
High School Coach: Kristin Mills Caldwell, Caravel Academy
AAU Coach: Kevin Lynch, Philadelphia Belles

Point guard Dara Taylor is a Delaware native, currently attending Caravel Academy in Bear, Del. Rated the No. 23 prospect in the nation by Blue Star, Taylor is a four-year starter and three-year captain at Caravel. Her 16 points, 6.5 assists and 4 steals per game last season earned her second-team All-State recognition and a nomination as a McDonald's All-American. A Gatorade Player of the Year nominee, Taylor led her team to the Delaware Final Four last season. In addition, Taylor is an excellent student, currently holding a 3.467 GPA at Caravel.

Taylor played for one of the nation's elite AAU programs, the Philadelphia Belles, where she was coached by Kevin Lynch.

"Dara plays with a ton of energy, has terrific vision and is very unselfish," Frese said. "Her teammates are going to love playing with her, because she finds them. She's going to be a great leader for us. She's a true point guard, with a high IQ and exceptional quickness that allows her to break people down and keep opponents under pressure. She will be a ton of fun to watch in our up-tempo style."

Essence Townsend (C, 6-7, Paterson, NJ)
High School Coach: Dave Andre, Paterson Catholic
AAU Coach: Earl Elliott, NY Gauchos

Center Essence Townsend has starred from the minute she began her career at Paterson Catholic in Paterson, N.J. Now 6'7", Townsend will check in as one of the tallest players in Terrapin history when she arrives in College Park. A first-team all-league selection as a freshman, sophomore and junior, Townsend led the squad to the state sectional semifinal as a sophomore and the state quarter finals as a junior. Averaging 12 points, 11 rebounds and 8.5 blocks per game last season, Townsend rejected a career-high 18 shots in the team's upset of the No. 2 seed in the county tournament. Townsend, who has the ability to dunk, has been first-team all-county the last two seasons.

In AAU play, Townsend started at center for the New York Gauchos. Twice an All-Tournament selection at the Gym Rat Challenge, Townsend led the Gauchos to victory in the event in 2008.

"Essence is not only 6'7", but she combines that with very good athleticism," Frese noted. "She's a natural shot-blocker, which is something that's hard to teach. Just her presence on the court will affect the game. She really has the chance to develop into a special player. We're very happy to welcome her into our family."

The class will arrive in College Park in the fall of 2009.

"When I look at this group as a whole, they each have some common qualities," Frese summarized. "First and foremost, we want to recruit good people that we are proud to see wearing Maryland on their uniforms and I think we've done that. They are all unselfish, energetic, very athletic and they fit into an up-tempo style. They each also have highly competitive natures, which will force everyone around them to get better and work even harder."

-TERPS-